It is not easy being perfect, even for the best player on the planet. Ask Lionel Messi.
Three games without a goal – and only one since his return from a thigh injury last month – has led to immediate questioning of his fitness and desire in a World Cup year.
The summer purchase of Neymar means there is now another potential superstar in the Barcelona team. And there is still his tax trial – and the threat of jail – hanging over him and his father Jorge.
After a stunning 86 goals for club and country in 2012, the last few weeks have so far not been the same story for the Argentine, even if Barcelona remain unbeaten and top of the table.
Yesterday’s front page of sports daily Mundo Deportivo claiming Messi had turned down an adidas-engineered scheme to pay half his £210million buyout clause and move him to Chelsea, Real Madrid or Bayern Munich sounded like some needed positive PR.
A return to his old form in tonight’s Champions League clash with AC Milan would be even better news.
After his quiet performance in last Friday’s 1-0 win over Espanyol, the four-time Ballon D’Or winner said: “Physically, I am not yet 100 per cent but if I play a run of games, I will refind my rhythm – I am certain of it.”
Messi had scored 11 goals in seven games – including a Champions League hat-trick against Ajax – before his latest injury. Now, after seeing his son go over 300 La Liga minutes without a goal, his father Jorge said: “The injuries have meant that Leo really fears a relapse. But you can be relaxed, he will return.”
Former Liverpool midfielder and club-mate Javier Mascherano said: “He is aware what has happened to him this year with injuries. He is trying to be careful so he will arrive at the World Cup in top form.”
The claim that Messi could have walked away from Barca in the summer was based on adidas’ wish to see him leave the Nike-sponsored club for one of “their” teams.
The German sportswear company were reportedly willing to pay £105m towards the deal if Chelsea or Real Madrid or Bayern Munich had been willing to stump up the rest.
Barcelona would have been powerless to stop the move but Messi, who joined the club aged 13 before undergoing hormone treatment to aid his growth, rejected any deal.
Messi’s tax problems will not go away so easily. In August, Jorge Messi paid £4.2m in back-dated taxes. But the Spanish authorities are being much tougher during their economic crisis, especially on a player who earns £13m-a-year on the pitch – and about the same again in commercial deals.
On the pitch, Messi needs a goal – and to show his normal boyish enthusiasm. But Barcelona team-mate Pedro insisted it will not take long. The Spain international said: “When he goes two games without scoring it seems that something is wrong, but he is fine.
“The rest of us are scoring goals and that is good for the team. Conclusions should be drawn at the end of the season. He always wants to score goals, but honestly I see him as calm.
“He is the best in the world and the goals will come.”
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